Links of Interest

Do you like villains? Have you ever wondered how or why someone goes bad? Then let me share with you a story, about a young man who comes of age in blood. When he is done, the world of Einlienn will know his name — and fear it.

Descent Into Darkness, Part 1: His Own

Against all odds, Ba’tvian Delthanurk managed to leave his serf family behind, along with their derision for his gifts, his ambitions. Now a sponsored student at the Trinity College of Magery, the most prestigious school of magery in the world, he is determined not to fall back into the dirt of his inferior origins. Yet his aspirations have led him down a darker path than his teachers had intended. Once begun, he cannot stop, and so he will descend into darkness…

The start of a young man’s journey into villainy, Descent Into Darkness, Part 1: His Own by Doris Ross is now available as an e-book on the Kindle, and as part of the printed omnibus, Descent Into Darkness, Vol. 1: He Begins. To purchase He Begins, please visit our store.

It’s Finally Out!

Ba’tvian Delthanurk, the Monster of Menie, is leaving the frozen north. With him are the loyal elven lady Nerisse se li Astorae and the mute barbarian Ibestor. As they ride southward, they seek to turn the tide against the Mancers who hunt them – and they are not alone in their ambition. Yet even as the fledgling alliance promises to deal a blow that will leave the Mancers reeling, a new threat arises for Ba’tvian’s strongest supporter. Torn between her past and her present, faced with madness, a one-time priestess must exchange one kind of death for another and risk being haunted forever by her choice.

Hers is not the only life at stake. As Absol Omine endeavors to prepare for the coming conflict, his fellow Mancer Veln Greenmeadow answers the call of an old friend. It will take him back to the city he once called, a place now stalked by a murderer: the moorland city of Rathburn. There he will find answers to not only the killings, but to the Mancers’ most pressing question – and trigger a downfall that will leave a settlement in ruins.

Descent Into Darkness, Vol. 2: His War is the second printed omnibus of the Descent Into Darkness series by Doris Ross. It contains Part 4: His Command and Part 5: His Revenge, both previously released only as e-books. His War is now available in the Trinity Gateways Store for $15.99.

His War

I’m so excited to show off the new cover for the upcoming printed omnibus of Descent Into Darkness, Vol. 2: His War. It features artwork based on a concept art piece by Blue, who did the artwork for Darkness Into Darkness, Vol. 1: He Begins. His War will contain Part 4: HIs Command and Part 5: His Revenge of the series as well as an updated map of Orthanor and an expanded Appendix.

It will be available on October 24, 2014 and I will be selling it at the Trinity Gateways LLC table at North Florida Comic Con in Jacksonville, FL, on October 26, 2014.

And now I’m going to go back to all the little things that need to be done so publication can happen.

Cover for Blood & Rain by Doris RossBook 1 of the Hidden Reaches Series

Jacksonville, FL, is a city with historic roots and character, much like many other cities in the United States. Yet the mundane façade hides a layer of reality not seen by humans – except for a select few. Alex Rosselle is such a one. The IRS and her clientele know her as an artist, yet the city’s paranormal underbelly see her for what she is: a Hunter coming into her own, one whose skills are about to be tested.

Something monstrous is stalking the streets of her beloved city. No one knows what it is, let alone where it comes from. With every kill it makes, storms brew. As she hunts for the source, Alex will encounter an old nemesis, a new ally, and the interest of an ancient deity as she faces the unknown threat – a deadly force which bears down on them all. A snippet of storied history may hold the key – provided Alex doesn’t drown first as the city becomes awash with blood and rain.

Blood & Rain, book 1 of the Hidden Reaches series by Doris Ross is now available from Amazon and Kindle – or you can buy it from us here.

Other News

The editing phase for Descent Into Darkness, Part 5: His Revenge is complete and will publish as an e-book on 9/19/14. The cover is being worked on now and will be posted once it’s finished.

Descent Into Darkness, Vol. 2: His War has also completed it’s editing phase. As this volume will be released in print, it will be a bit longer before preparations are complete. It’s just begun the layout phase and the cover is also has to be completed. Again, once it’s ready, it’ll be posted. As of right now, His War is slated for printed release on 10/26/14.

As His War comprises both Part 4: His Command and Part 5: His Revenge, I took the opportunity to re-edit His Command. I’ve recently discovered an excellent editing tool that catches around 95% of errors. The editing tool is Pro Writing Aid. While Pro Writing Aid doesn’t take the place of an actual editor, it comes closer than anything I’ve tried thus far. I highly recommend it to anyone who writes. I’ve used it to edit His War, and was so impressed with it that I’ve begun re-editing He Begins.

Current & Upcoming Projects

Once His War is published, I will begin outlining Descent Into Darkness, Part 6: His Conquest. Right now, I’m aiming to finish the last installment of Descent Into Darkness in the fall or winter of 2015. That is subject to change, and I will let everyone know if it gets pushed back.

The sequel to Blood & Rain, entitled Shards & Lies, is currently slated for a 2016 release. The rough draft is going through a hefty revision. If that wraps earlier than anticipated, and the editing phase goes smoothly, it may be moved up. We’ll see.

Descent Into Darkness, Part 4: His Command by Doris RossCover Design by Doris Ross

Ba’tvian Delthanurk, the Monster of Menie, is leaving the frozen north. With him are the loyal elven lady Nerisse se li Astorae and the mute barbarian Ibestor. As they ride southward, they seek to turn the tide against the Mancers who hunt them – and they are not along in their ambition. Their path will converge with others’ yet even as the fledgling alliance promises to deal a blow that will leave the Mancers reeling, a new threat arises for Ba’tvian’s strongest supporter. Torn between her past and her present, faced with madness, a one-time priestess must again choose: a slow death or her lord’s command.

Descent Into Darkness, Part 4: His Command is the latest installment of the novella e-series by Doris Ross. It’s now available on Amazon.com.

Upcoming Releases

Descent Into Darkness, Part 5: His Revenge will release as an e-book at the end of September. Both His Command and His Revenge will be included in the upcoming printed omnibus, Descent Into Darkness, Volume 2: His War, which will release in late October.

Future Appearances

I will be attending North Florida Comic Con with Trinity Gateways LLC on October 26, 2014 in the Jacksonville area. If you’re in town, come on by to check out our books and chat. I’ll be selling copies of Descent Into Darkness, Volume 1: He Begins, Descent Into Darkness, Volume 2: His War, and the first book in my new Hidden Reaches series entitled Blood & Rain. I hope to see you there!

Descent Into Darkness, Part 3: His Beast

Descent Into Darkness, Part 3: His Beast by Doris Ross

Two years have passed since Ba’tvian Delthanurk first cut a bloody swath into the world. Enthralled by his side is Nerisse se li Astorae, the elven girl with whom Ba’tvian had been replaced by his late mentor. Life has not been easy; pursuit dogs their steps. To evade the Mancers who hunt him, the renegade mages have ventured into the Northern Wilderness, now frozen in winter. Frustration mounts as being constantly on the run was not the path they had envisioned after fleeing the Trinity.

However, Ba’tvian plans for the future is not the only problem they have. An ability possessed by Nerisse prevents her from fulfilling the role her lover has in mind, yet the search for a solution may mean chancing discovery. The price will be high.

A Mancer has picked up their trail, and a barbarian with crude mage skills of his own is roaming the wilds. Their encounter will leave will the snow stained with blood.

The third installment of the Descent Into Darkness series is available in e-book, and is included in the printed omnibus, Descent Into Darkness, Vol. 1: He Begins. Both can be purchased on Amazon and Kindle here.

The Aftermath of a Con

The authors of Trinity Gateways LLC (of which I am one) just wrapped up our stint at Ancient City Con this weekend. It was fantastic seeing old friends and making new ones. Many thanks to the con staff for having us, and to everyone who stopped by the table. We hope you had as much fun as we did. Lots of pictures were taken; there were some really great cosplayers in attendance. Check them out on the Trinity Gateways Facebook Page.

We are now, of course, pretty wiped out. Convention-itus is setting in; the mental fog has begun to form. I’m making this post tonight instead of Monday so that it doesn’t get lost along the way. Now I must head to bed before I face-plant in my keyboard.

A Weekend Release – Just for You

I am so excited to announce that I have a new series, one that’s very different from Descent Into Darkness. The Hidden Reaches series is urban fantasy, the original concept of which is as old as the one for DID. If you like a little paranormal, a dash of quirkiness in your characters, a bit of mystery, a thread of romance, and a splash of blood (hey, it’s me; I can’t seem to write anything without at least a little blood-spill) then please check out the first book of this new series:

Cover for Blood & Rain by Doris RossBook 1 of the Hidden Reaches Series

Blood & Rain

There is something dark in every city…

Jacksonville, FL, is a city with historic roots and character, much like many other cities in the United States. Yet the mundane façade hides a layer of reality not seen by the humans – except for a select few. Alex Rosselle is such a one. The IRS and her clientele know her as an artist, yet the city’s paranormal underbelly see her for what she is: a Hunter, the latest in a long line of humans who ensure that the secretive supernatural side of life stays civil.

…that attracts peril like a moth to flame.

Like Alex’s ex, the thieving bastard. But personal business takes a back seat when something monstrous begins stalking the streets of her beloved city. With every kill it makes, storms brew. In midst of the bloodshed she will discover an old nemesis, a new ally, and the interest of an ancient deity. Bearing down on them all is something only one of them can stop – provided Alex doesn’t drown as the city becomes awash with blood and rain.

DID Update

Descent Into Darkness, Part 5: His Revenge is still on track for e-release in late September. I’m in the middle of editing it now. For those you who prefer printed volumes, Part 4: His Command and Part 5: His Revenge will be included in the upcoming omnibus Descent Into Darkness, Vol. 2: His War, which is currently slated for a fall release.

Reminder

Ancient City Con is next weekend! So if you happen to be in the Jacksonville, FL, area, please swing by and visit. I’ll be at the Trinity Gateways LLC table with fellow authors LJ Gastineau and Tricia Sparks, as well as cover artist Blue. We’ll be selling and signing books. Mention our website or that you saw our post on Facebook or Twitter and we’ll give you a discount on your purchase. We look forward to seeing you!

Against all odds, Ba’tvian Delthanurk managed to leave his serf family behind, along with their derision for his gifts, his ambitions. Now a sponsored student at the Trinity College of Magery, the most prestigious school of magery in the world, he is determined not to fall back into the dirt of his inferior origins. Yet his aspirations have led him down a darker path than his teachers had intended. Once begun, he cannot stop, and so he will descend into darkness…

The start of a young man’s journey into villainy, Descent Into Darkness, Part 1: His Own by Doris Ross is now available as an e-book on the Kindle, and as part of the printed omnibus, Descent Into Darkness, Vol. 1: He Begins. Both can be acquired here.

And a reminder…

I’ll be at the Trinity Gateways LLC table at Ancient City Con on July 18-20 this summer. If you mention that you saw this post online, either on dorisross.com, trinitygateways.net, or any social media site you’ll receive a 10% discount on your purchase at our table. We hope to see you there!

Yes, I’m an Xbox girl, and I deserve an achievement badge for this one.

I finally finished the rough draft for Descent Into Darkness: His Revenge, the fifth installment of the series! It’s been a long time coming, and the road to get here was pretty rocky for me. Thanks to everyone who gave me the nudges and encouragement to keep it going.

But being written doesn’t mean it’s finished. Other things have to happen before it publishes: the appendix has to be updated, the story has to go through a revision phase, followed by an editing phase, and the e-book cover has to be designed. At present, I’m shooting for an e-book release in September 2014, and the printed omnibus containing both Part 4, His Command, and Part 5, His Revenge, is slated for publication in October 2014. I’ll announce dates for each once they’re locked down.

From obscurity into infamy, Ba’tvian Delthanurk blazes his wicked trail. He is both hunted and hunter, a blood mage seeking to carve his deep into the history of Einlienn. Some will follow him, others will seek his death.

Meet the loyal Nerisse se li Astorae, an elven woman intended for the priesthood, and the determined Absol Omine, the Mancer whose name fills Ba’tvian with hate. More will cross paths with the blood mage Delthanurk. Only a chosen few will survive. None, living or dead, will forget him.

This is his journey into villainy – Ba’tvian Delthanurk’s Descent Into Darkness.

Where to find it

The first printed omnibus containing Part 1: His Own, Part 2: Her Lord, and Part 3: His Beast is entitled He Begins. He Begins is available from Amazon, and each individual part, as well as Part 4: His Command, is available in e-book format. You can find them for sale here.

If you’d like to purchase a signed copy — or want to drop by to discuss the story – I’ll be at Ancient City Con in Jacksonville, FL, on July 18-20, 2014 with Trinity Gateways LLC in the dealer’s room. It’s an awesome convention with plenty of awesome people. So come on out for some fun and stop by the table!